Volume: 2 • Issue 4 • April 2002                              

From the President’s Pen:

Dear Friends of CCBI,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

One of the first things that I noticed when I went to Kenya was that they only had two seasons in their weather, the wet season and the dry season. In fact, several of the other countries that I have been to have the same type of weather. In contrast to this, we here in Missouri experience the full effect of all four seasons. There is an old saying here in Missouri, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes. It will change!” I believe that our walk with the Lord and our ministries face the same seasonal changes in the spirit that we see in the natural. Like the seasons, ministries do not have to seek changes. They will just happen in the natural progression of things. When it is winter, we know that if the Lord tarries we will see the season change from cold to the warm breath of spring. Likewise, ministries need to recognize that there is a natural progression in the unfolding of God’s plan for us. Sometimes we complain about these changes. If you like summer you don’t want to see fall come. Yet no matter how much you complain or wish, fall is still going to come. Sometimes we get involved with a ministry because it is currently in a season we like, only to find that it soon changes to the next season, which may not be to our liking. This usually upsets us and sometimes people get so angry they will break contact with this ministry. However, the truth is that we should be willing to embrace these changes because God is trying to break us out of our familiar rut and take us to new heights in His anointing and glory. But we must be willing participants. CCBI, like other ministries, is not exempt from God’s taking us to new places and new heights. Therefore, it is my prayer that this newsletter will be a reminder and a word of encouragement that we prepare ourselves now for where God may plan to take us in the future should He tarry. Remember that every season has its own beauty which we will see if we do not spend all of our time longing for what used to be and observing what’s happening at the present. May you see things you have never seen, may you hear things you never heard and may God use you in ways you have never been used before. I leave you with these two sayings which I have inscribed in the opening leaf of my Bible. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always have what you’ve always had.” “Stupidity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.”

Praising Yah,
Bro Bill Sharples

Fall Conference Update

Dr. Bill Sharples has confirmed the weekend of October 4, 5 and 6 as the time for the annual CCBI Fall Conference. The new location plans are incomplete at this time, but it will be at a campground in Middle Tennessee, probably either Cedars of Lebanon State Park or Camp Overton, near Rock Island State Park.

We urge you to mark your calendar dates now and plan to attend this important time of worship and fellowship with others who are committed to world missions, and especially for the significant business meeting to discuss the past, present and future of Caribbean College of the Bible International.

Seven Kenyans To Graduate

CCBI Faculty, Administration and Supporters send congratulations to CCBKenya division leaders Mr. Peter Kasuku and Mr. Martin Cheruiyot on the upcoming April graduation of seven outstanding students. Guiding adult students successfully through their programs is no easy job under the best of circumstances, and these two leaders have worked through serious leadership changes, damage from the Kenya embassy bombing, complete relocation of offices, and a myriad of individual student complications.

Although no US faculty will be traveling for the spring graduation, it is certain that the Kenya staff will arrange for an impressive ceremony with appropriate recognition for these seven deserving students.

Global Points

CCBI is becoming recognized in many parts of the world through our website www.ccbi.org and through our students as they pass the word along. In addition to the nations of the Caribbean and Africa where we have division offices, we also have been receiving inquiries and requests for enrollment from Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania and other African nations; also Brazil, Aruba and others in the Caribbean and South America.

The Church’s prayers for evangelization in “the uttermost parts of the world” are being answered through missionaries, translators, the Jesus film, relief workers, faithful pastors and even martyrs in unprecedented numbers; but in most areas outside the USA there are overwhelming needs for training in discipleship. Operation World reports that many who are won to the Lord from Islam are slipping back into their culture due to lack of teaching.

Unfortunately CCBI is not able to provide for the theological education of such a wide expanse of students. We are limited by basic resources: teachers, course materials, finances and administrative personnel. Your earnest prayers are requested for God’s answer to this formidable problem which threatens the dilution and misunderstanding of the gospel for future generations. Pray that He will point CCBI in His direction for the most effective use of our resources, experience, zeal and commitment to His service.

Rewards of Sponsorship

Several years ago a couple of CCBI supporters were led to sponsor tuition for a Kenya student who was then starting the entry level program. With a shaky educational background, tiny income, and living long distance from Kenya’s Nairobi office, it almost seemed too much to expect that Bro. Tobias would be able to overcome all the obstacles to complete his Associate degree. But with the grace of God, the Tylers’ encouragement and a lot of perseverance he not only did this, but stated his intention to continue into the bachelor program. His scholarship, determination and ministry have steadily improved, and Rev. Tobias Wakhungu is slated to receive his Bachelor of Pastoral Studies April 12, 2001.

Ron and Beverly wanted everyone to know how blessed they have been with their sponsorship of Bro. Tobias, and grateful that it has helped him to achieve his goal. It means a lot to them to know that he will be able to reach people that they will never even meet personally. Ron and Beverly are shown here with Jim and Juanita Mackie blessing us with special music at the Fall Conference in 2001.

Students Minister

The heart of CCBI has always been to train our students with practical classes which involve them in hands-on application. Biblical research and ministerial skills are required to be put into practice and reported in many courses, providing teachers with a reflection of God’s work through the student’s relationship with the unique ministry of CCBI. For example:

Trinidad: Francisca’s Ministry Projects vary from publicly implementing development of a new village including relocation of 100 families, to very intimate marriage counseling. In her work with the government village project she helped lead two families to salvation and others into church as she arranged for food and clothing, and even mixed cement for the roadway. As she did informal marriage counseling she listened, prayed, babysat and saw two troubled families reconfirm their relationships with each other and with God.

Rolston has also been involved in marriage counseling, dedicating up to three hours a week for just one family. He says the spiritual highlight of this project for him has been “the recognition that nothing is indeed impossible with God.” Restoration and forgiveness are coming about, with extended family and children observing what God is doing.

Belize: A pastor/student was required to carry out a structured discipleship program with a person of his choice after prayer. In his ongoing diary submitted with the course the pastor revealed how he was led to a young immigrant who was well educated in Cuba, then converted but confused and quite poor in Belize. The instructor for the discipleship course wrote her student, “Thank you for the great privilege of reading your course and diary! Anyone observing would have seen me smiling often, praising the Lord aloud, and becoming sad about Luis’s job loss (and praying about that). You are an excellent writer in both composition and penmanship. I pray that God will continue to enrich your relationship with Him and others as you minister in His service.”

CCBI is committed to “training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This month’s sampling of students indicates goals are being reached, thanks to Jesus the Master Teacher.

Thank You To Our Faithful Contributors

Robert and Elizabeth Watts Aldl
Eddie Chaney
Cookeville Baptist Temple
Roslyn Gift
Linnie Goodwin
Clifford and Jean Hepper
Bob and Margaret Ridley
Ray and Jan Saunders
Larry and Betty Self
Trinity Christian Fellowship
Noella Ybara